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Mon, 31 Dec 2018 17:59:16 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.3ARMY/NAVY GAME: THE “GREATEST SPORTING EVENT OF THEM ALL”http://bluebooksports.com/army-navy-game-the-greatest-sporting-event-of-them-all/
Sat, 08 Dec 2018 00:51:43 +0000http://bluebooksports.com/?p=2648Well folks on Saturday December 8th, we get to witness the best sporting event of each and every year, the Army/Navy game. Regardless or each teams record, this is the one game that records don’t matter. It’s two of our greatest groups of men who sacrifice their lives for our country, and although they already have a very busy schedule, they decided to play a sport as well. For all the Seniors on Navy, this will likely be the very last game they ever play on the Football Field.

In a rivalry that was completely one sided and dominated by Navy with 14 straight wins before the last two meetings, both won by Army. Last year in the snow Army held on for a 14-13 win. The prior year Army snapped that horrific 14 game losing skid to it’s hated rival, with a 21-17 victory.

The past matchups since 2011 have all been decided by a Touchdown or less. For the Navy side, 2011 is also the last year they didn’t end up in a Bowl game. It’s been a terrible season for Navy, winning only 3 and losing 9. They simply don’t have the Offense this year to mess up opposing Defenses and they’ve lost 10 fumbles that have really derailed them in a few close losses.

Army, on the other hand is 9-3 and has a shot for a second straight 10 win season and they will be going to a Bowl Game against Houston, later this month. Army almost beat #4 Oklahoma, one of the 4 teams to make it to the Final 4 this year. They lost a heartbreaker, 28-21 in Overtime. Army beat Air Force this year 17-14, and Navy gotten whipped badly by the Flyboys 35-7.

Both teams Offenses are ranked in the bottom tier of all teams with Army at #82, and Navy at #104. Neither hits 100 yards a game passing the ball, so it really always comes down to turnovers as both teams know exactly the Offense they need to stop, better then any other. Army has fumbled only 4 times all year. Navy has lost 10. In these games, it’s always the turnovers that decide most of the final outcomes. What’s fun is usually a “trick play” is thrown in and they often work and make the game really “up for grabs” the entire 4 quarters.

The biggest difference this year to me is Navy QB Perry. He might be fast, but he’s small, rarely breaks a tackle and misreads the Defenses once play starts. To me he is the worst Navy QB in long, long time. Army is 8th in the nation on a key stat to me: (3 and out). Army has only had 13% where they don’t at least get one first down. Navy is way down at #68, not grabbing at least one first down 21% of the time. That’s rough on the Defenses, which usually don’t have great depth.

This game is being played at …

]]>Well folks on Saturday December 8th, we get to witness the best sporting event of each and every year, the Army/Navy game. Regardless or each teams record, this is the one game that records don’t matter. It’s two of our greatest groups of men who sacrifice their lives for our country, and although they already have a very busy schedule, they decided to play a sport as well. For all the Seniors on Navy, this will likely be the very last game they ever play on the Football Field.

In a rivalry that was completely one sided and dominated by Navy with 14 straight wins before the last two meetings, both won by Army. Last year in the snow Army held on for a 14-13 win. The prior year Army snapped that horrific 14 game losing skid to it’s hated rival, with a 21-17 victory.

The past matchups since 2011 have all been decided by a Touchdown or less. For the Navy side, 2011 is also the last year they didn’t end up in a Bowl game. It’s been a terrible season for Navy, winning only 3 and losing 9. They simply don’t have the Offense this year to mess up opposing Defenses and they’ve lost 10 fumbles that have really derailed them in a few close losses.

Army, on the other hand is 9-3 and has a shot for a second straight 10 win season and they will be going to a Bowl Game against Houston, later this month. Army almost beat #4 Oklahoma, one of the 4 teams to make it to the Final 4 this year. They lost a heartbreaker, 28-21 in Overtime. Army beat Air Force this year 17-14, and Navy gotten whipped badly by the Flyboys 35-7.

Both teams Offenses are ranked in the bottom tier of all teams with Army at #82, and Navy at #104. Neither hits 100 yards a game passing the ball, so it really always comes down to turnovers as both teams know exactly the Offense they need to stop, better then any other. Army has fumbled only 4 times all year. Navy has lost 10. In these games, it’s always the turnovers that decide most of the final outcomes. What’s fun is usually a “trick play” is thrown in and they often work and make the game really “up for grabs” the entire 4 quarters.

The biggest difference this year to me is Navy QB Perry. He might be fast, but he’s small, rarely breaks a tackle and misreads the Defenses once play starts. To me he is the worst Navy QB in long, long time. Army is 8th in the nation on a key stat to me: (3 and out). Army has only had 13% where they don’t at least get one first down. Navy is way down at #68, not grabbing at least one first down 21% of the time. That’s rough on the Defenses, which usually don’t have great depth.

This game is being played at Lincoln Field, in Philadelphia. There won’t be an open seat, in what will be 35 degree weather. Luckily the forecast is no snow for this one, and that’s always good, especially for two teams who run the ball almost every play. Hard to run in the snow, and makes for a lesser chance for much scoring.

Last I want to say “THANK YOU” to all these brave young adult men who play not just for their Football Team, but for sacrificing their lives for our great country. They are the real “HEROES” in every phase of the word.

I always feel great joy for the team who wins as I watch their brothers raise their arms in Victory, but I always feel such sadness for the side that loses, especially for the many of them who are Seniors and most likely never playing another game on the Football Field. One of them tomorrow is a close family friend who will soon marry my closest Cousins daughter. I know they are all excited for this final game he plays and I feel goose bumps every time he gets to carry the ball. I’m hoping he can score one more Touchdown to remember forever.

Army is (-6 1/2) and the Total is (40). I’ll be passing this one as I like the Army team as a whole much better this year, and feel they should make it three straight wins. But as you can see, kinda like the Steelers and the Ravens in the NFL, no matter what their records are, the game is always super close and usually always decided by around a field goal.

Please take time out to watch at least some of this game, and honor these great young men who will be leading out country for years ahead.

Gary Greene

]]>SUNDAY NFL REPORT – WEEK 7 – ROOKIE QB’S FACING TOUGH DEFENSE MINDED HC’S!http://bluebooksports.com/sunday-nfl-report-week-7-rookie-qbs-facing-tough-defense-minded-hcs/
Fri, 19 Oct 2018 19:20:48 +0000http://bluebooksports.com/?p=2502Well folks we have now seen everyone enough to easily get solid grades for everyone out there. This year has seen the loaded and well coaches Rams simply dominate really all it’s opponents. Right now easily clear favorite to win the Super Bowl.

As good as this season has gone for the Rams, it’s been a different story and bad start for a few teams who expected to be Playoff Caliber teams. The N.Y. Giants are the team playing way under it’s potential. They picked stud RB Barkley and he’s played very well. Not many other players on his squad have though, especially QB Eli Manning, who just looks slow, old, and possibly on his final weeks if things don’t improve fast.

This week we have a few young Rookie QB’s heading into some rough terrain as the Jets young QB Darnold will face of the elite Defensive Minds in the NFL for years, Minny HC and really DC as well, Mike Zimmer. This will be a real test and good look at where he is with now half dozen games under his belt.

So far Darnold has faced the #23, #25, #27, #28 Defenses. He’s also faced #17 and one top 15 Defense, the #2 Jags. So he really hasn’t been tested. He led the Jets to 12 points and 17 points vs. #25 and #28 Fins and Browns Defenses (both losses). He led Jets to 12 points vs. the Jags elite Defense.

Now he faces Mike Zimmer who may be the top Defensive Mind in the NFL today. The Vikings Defense is now ranked #16. That’s a ranking that’s too low for the talent they have. They will improve week to week as they simply have too much veteran talent. So the young Jets QB, Darnold, will face his second toughest Defense on Sunday. I’ll be watching close to see how he handles all the different things Zimmer will test him with.

Next we have young San Fran QB Beathard facing one of the oldest DC’s in the NFL, and still one of the elite, Wade Phillips. The Rams are only #11 in Defense Rankings, but they’ve played some very tough Offense’s thus far. The Rams DL will really pressure Bathard and that’s where we really learn how good Beathard is. . The Rams hold opposing Offenses under 100 yards per game, so Beathard will have to beat them passing the ball. I will say this, this young kid impressed me last year when he got some starts, and this year he has as well. He is still raw, but he has no fear and he will run for first downs in traffic even knowing he’s gonna get crushed. He extends drives and at least gives this still very young team a chance to win. Sunday will likely be toughest test he faces this year.

Miami will again start Brock Osweiler. He won last week in a crazy game, but he was lucky his WR’s made huge gains …

]]>Well folks we have now seen everyone enough to easily get solid grades for everyone out there. This year has seen the loaded and well coaches Rams simply dominate really all it’s opponents. Right now easily clear favorite to win the Super Bowl.

As good as this season has gone for the Rams, it’s been a different story and bad start for a few teams who expected to be Playoff Caliber teams. The N.Y. Giants are the team playing way under it’s potential. They picked stud RB Barkley and he’s played very well. Not many other players on his squad have though, especially QB Eli Manning, who just looks slow, old, and possibly on his final weeks if things don’t improve fast.

This week we have a few young Rookie QB’s heading into some rough terrain as the Jets young QB Darnold will face of the elite Defensive Minds in the NFL for years, Minny HC and really DC as well, Mike Zimmer. This will be a real test and good look at where he is with now half dozen games under his belt.

So far Darnold has faced the #23, #25, #27, #28 Defenses. He’s also faced #17 and one top 15 Defense, the #2 Jags. So he really hasn’t been tested. He led the Jets to 12 points and 17 points vs. #25 and #28 Fins and Browns Defenses (both losses). He led Jets to 12 points vs. the Jags elite Defense.

Now he faces Mike Zimmer who may be the top Defensive Mind in the NFL today. The Vikings Defense is now ranked #16. That’s a ranking that’s too low for the talent they have. They will improve week to week as they simply have too much veteran talent. So the young Jets QB, Darnold, will face his second toughest Defense on Sunday. I’ll be watching close to see how he handles all the different things Zimmer will test him with.

Next we have young San Fran QB Beathard facing one of the oldest DC’s in the NFL, and still one of the elite, Wade Phillips. The Rams are only #11 in Defense Rankings, but they’ve played some very tough Offense’s thus far. The Rams DL will really pressure Bathard and that’s where we really learn how good Beathard is. . The Rams hold opposing Offenses under 100 yards per game, so Beathard will have to beat them passing the ball. I will say this, this young kid impressed me last year when he got some starts, and this year he has as well. He is still raw, but he has no fear and he will run for first downs in traffic even knowing he’s gonna get crushed. He extends drives and at least gives this still very young team a chance to win. Sunday will likely be toughest test he faces this year.

Miami will again start Brock Osweiler. He won last week in a crazy game, but he was lucky his WR’s made huge gains after the catch and turned them into long scoring TD’s. That’s more luck then skill of leading team on long drives. This kid is one of worst QB’s I’ve ever seen. Now he faces former Patriots DC, Matt Patricia, now Lions Head Coach. Patricia now has he sea legs after a tough start. The Lions have already beaten the Patriots and Packers at home. Now they get the Dolphins off a “bye” week. Patricia is one of the best Defensive minds in the game. He isn’t loaded with talent on that side of the ball, and he does rely on the loaded talent on the Offensive side of the ball. Osweiler at least has a full start under his belt, and some confidence coming into this game. I’ve rarely seen this guy play two solid games back to back. If he does this week, the Dolphins will stay in contention.

Last we will go to young stud Baker Mayfield, Browns QB. He is the one guy getting an easy task facing possibly the worst Defense in the NFL, the Tampa Bay Bucs. They so far can’t stop the kids in the neighborhood. In just 5 games, their DC Mike Smith got canned. This team is in disarray on both sides of the ball. The problem with taking the Browns is, well they are still really the Browns. Worst HC in the league, and they head in with Mayfield a little gimpy with bad leg he hurt last week. If healthy, Mayfield has chance for big stats as the Bucs Defense allows 356 yards vs. Pass. It’s 2nd worst Pass Defense and they simply get no pass rush and secondary can’t cover. This game will show me if Browns are still the Clowns or if they have turned the corner and are now at least a decent NFL team.

This is my favorite month of the year and the NFL has been very good to me. Of course the games I pick and bet are my first most importance of the weekend, but it’s also the games like this Sunday where I get to grade these young Rookie QB’s and see where they really are 1/3rd of the way thru this 2018 season and their very first seasons.

Have a great weekend ahead and may all your wagers be WINNING ones. If you are not winning yet, give me a call, we are off to fantastic start, and October my favorite Football Month to bet. And don’t forget College Hoops starts in 3 weeks. My favorite sport of all and November will give us 3 chances to win big, NFL, CFB and CBB.

Well most shocking loss not just in point spread, but really I’ve seen in years as the Vikings losing to the winless Bills, who were really bad thru first two weeks, and Rookie starting QB Allen in his first Road game start, was something not many expected. I didn’t expect the Vikings to lose straight up, but I am not shocked. Kirk Cousins for 4 straight years flopped in every third game. Rarely did he ever win 3 straight and his 5-24 record vs. winning teams is why. Losing this badly to this really bad Bills team really must have Vikings Exec’s crapping their pants. For those who only look at stats, most of Cousins yards were in second half down big and Bills playing Prevent Defense, and passing 59x and only rushing 6x. He still couldn’t reach 300 passing yards. LMAO! He padded them up nice for the long term, but again when a little pressured, he missed his throws badly and again at line read Defenses poorly. He now gets break of his life facing battered Rams secondary missing two of the leagues best Defenders. If he doesn’t have a very solid game, getting benefit of playing a team on short rest (huge edge to Offenses in those games), then Vikings fans will soon feel the heartache of having this most overrated QB of all time playing for them.

“YOU LIKE THAT”? Yeah Kirk I loved it. Thanks for bringing even more joy to my great start with that laughable performance where you again showed up “deer in the headlights” in a game you clearly weren’t prepared for.

Let’s see if the Dogs keep barking at this incredible rate so far in week 4.

GG…

]]>NFL A.T.S. UPDATED RECORDS THRU ALL WEEK 3 GAMES:

FAVORITES: 19

UNDERDOGS: 28

UNDERDOGS WHO WON STRAIGHT UP: (20)

PUSHES: 1

TOTALS:

OVERS: 25

UNDERS: 23

DOUBLE DIGIT FAVORITES: (1-3) A.T.S.

GARY’S FINAL THOUGHTS:

Well most shocking loss not just in point spread, but really I’ve seen in years as the Vikings losing to the winless Bills, who were really bad thru first two weeks, and Rookie starting QB Allen in his first Road game start, was something not many expected. I didn’t expect the Vikings to lose straight up, but I am not shocked. Kirk Cousins for 4 straight years flopped in every third game. Rarely did he ever win 3 straight and his 5-24 record vs. winning teams is why. Losing this badly to this really bad Bills team really must have Vikings Exec’s crapping their pants. For those who only look at stats, most of Cousins yards were in second half down big and Bills playing Prevent Defense, and passing 59x and only rushing 6x. He still couldn’t reach 300 passing yards. LMAO! He padded them up nice for the long term, but again when a little pressured, he missed his throws badly and again at line read Defenses poorly. He now gets break of his life facing battered Rams secondary missing two of the leagues best Defenders. If he doesn’t have a very solid game, getting benefit of playing a team on short rest (huge edge to Offenses in those games), then Vikings fans will soon feel the heartache of having this most overrated QB of all time playing for them.

“YOU LIKE THAT”? Yeah Kirk I loved it. Thanks for bringing even more joy to my great start with that laughable performance where you again showed up “deer in the headlights” in a game you clearly weren’t prepared for.

Let’s see if the Dogs keep barking at this incredible rate so far in week 4.

SHOCKING STAT: Last week the Seahawks allowed over 450 total Yards on Defense. Only second time that has happened in teams last 42 games.

]]>SO YOU WANT TO TAKE A ROAD TRIP THIS WEEK?http://bluebooksports.com/so-you-want-to-take-a-road-trip-this-week/
Thu, 13 Sep 2018 20:45:15 +0000http://bluebooksports.com/?p=2369For many folks a road trip is a fun time to enjoy the sights and scenery of a different area. For 4 teams in Football this weekend won’t be a fun one unless they pull off a win in a very tough situation.

The NFL schedulers were not kind to the Seattle Seahawks, sending them not just on the road for it’s first two games, but to: Denver and now across country to Chicago, facing a team off the most crushing loss of the week 1 slate.

For the Detroit Lions, they surely can’t play worse then week 1, so it’s all uphill from here. But what do they get for their game 2 assignment as they travel cross country to later time zone on a short week to play a SF team that lost it’s opener and it’s Cinderella QB off his first ever loss as a starting QB.

San Diego gets faced with the always horrible west coast to east coast trip and early start time. Lucky for them the hapless Bills team is the team awaiting their arrival. The Bolts will likely be without their stud DE and elite pass rusher Joey Bosa, so it’s up to some other guys to pick up the slack. QB Rivers looked good in the week 1 loss, but it’s the same ole story with these Chargers. Come up short in games they are supposed to win. Rivers is now 48-52 in his last 100 games, which kinda surprised me, and they can NOT afford to go 0-2, nor lose to this worst team in the NFL, Buffalo Bills.

Last we go to College Football action, where the shocking (3-0) Hawaii kids travel 6,000, yes folks, 6000 long miles, a zillion time zone changes, to face Army at basically 6am/Hawaii time. This has always been a sore spot with me, and how disgusting CFB heads are to allow this type of crap to happen. Nobody looking out for the best interest of the Hawaii kids, as it’s already bad enough they are forced to fly the most miles of any team on the planet, they should never be forced to these early starts too.

Gary Greene…

]]>For many folks a road trip is a fun time to enjoy the sights and scenery of a different area. For 4 teams in Football this weekend won’t be a fun one unless they pull off a win in a very tough situation.

The NFL schedulers were not kind to the Seattle Seahawks, sending them not just on the road for it’s first two games, but to: Denver and now across country to Chicago, facing a team off the most crushing loss of the week 1 slate.

For the Detroit Lions, they surely can’t play worse then week 1, so it’s all uphill from here. But what do they get for their game 2 assignment as they travel cross country to later time zone on a short week to play a SF team that lost it’s opener and it’s Cinderella QB off his first ever loss as a starting QB.

San Diego gets faced with the always horrible west coast to east coast trip and early start time. Lucky for them the hapless Bills team is the team awaiting their arrival. The Bolts will likely be without their stud DE and elite pass rusher Joey Bosa, so it’s up to some other guys to pick up the slack. QB Rivers looked good in the week 1 loss, but it’s the same ole story with these Chargers. Come up short in games they are supposed to win. Rivers is now 48-52 in his last 100 games, which kinda surprised me, and they can NOT afford to go 0-2, nor lose to this worst team in the NFL, Buffalo Bills.

Last we go to College Football action, where the shocking (3-0) Hawaii kids travel 6,000, yes folks, 6000 long miles, a zillion time zone changes, to face Army at basically 6am/Hawaii time. This has always been a sore spot with me, and how disgusting CFB heads are to allow this type of crap to happen. Nobody looking out for the best interest of the Hawaii kids, as it’s already bad enough they are forced to fly the most miles of any team on the planet, they should never be forced to these early starts too.

Gary Greene

]]>NFL NEW HEAD COACHES TAKE DONUT (0-7) IN FIRST GAMES!http://bluebooksports.com/nfl-new-head-coaches-take-donut-0-7-in-first-games/
Thu, 13 Sep 2018 20:25:46 +0000http://bluebooksports.com/?p=2365Well folks the NFL welcomed 7 new Head Coaches to the league and they all went home on the short end of the stick. Seven disappointing debuts and for a few, that same experience will be the norm every Sunday night as they walk off the field.

You have to feel bad for Titans HC Mike Vrabel, who had to endure 2 delays and 7 plus hours before the game was decided. Now he has a mess on his hands with Mariota already injured. I am not a Mariota fan at all, but facing this one week in for a new HC trying to get some things in motion is just terrible news for Vrabel. He also lost his top TE for the season in Game 1, and trust me folks, veteran guys who can play don’t grow on trees to pick up in week 2.

The long awaited return of Jon Gruden to the Raiders was great for a half, heck even 3 quarters, until the bottom fell out in the fourth and a close game turned quite ugly. Trading your best player (K. Mack) a few days before opener is as asinine as I’ve ever seen and now knowing your QB is simply not elite level, and wow this season can get ugly really fast on Jon. He may wish he was back in Booth in a month or so.

New Bears HC Nagy had to be the most crushed after his team blew a 20-0 lead. I give credit to Pack QB A. Rodgers, but Nagy played “not to lose” for the entire second half and made some horrific calls in his first game at the Head Job. Of the 7 new HC’s though, he is in the best position to win this season.

Arizona HC Steve Wilks is in the worst position to win this year and may not win more then 2-3 games. He clearly didn’t have his team ready in any phase of the game vs. the Redskins and there aren’t many great pieces to make this team anything but a “bet against” all season long.

Lions HC Matt Patricia had a worse game then Wilks and that thought coming into his MNF debut game seemed impossible with how bad the Cardinals performed. But spotted a 7-0 lead after one play, it was a demolition the rest of the game by a young Jets squad. Now hearing players on the Lions aren’t at all happy with Patricia and his many rules and this start couldn’t be any worse for Lions fans. I also thought the guy looked like a “joke” too wearing his ball cap backwards. He didn’t coach like a big time NFL coach and he looked like a slob and represented the team horribly. He already thinks he’s his old boss, Bill Belichick. He inherited a decent set of talent and a really bad first month will really make for a long, and difficult season ahead.

Colts new HC Frank Reich is …

]]>Well folks the NFL welcomed 7 new Head Coaches to the league and they all went home on the short end of the stick. Seven disappointing debuts and for a few, that same experience will be the norm every Sunday night as they walk off the field.

You have to feel bad for Titans HC Mike Vrabel, who had to endure 2 delays and 7 plus hours before the game was decided. Now he has a mess on his hands with Mariota already injured. I am not a Mariota fan at all, but facing this one week in for a new HC trying to get some things in motion is just terrible news for Vrabel. He also lost his top TE for the season in Game 1, and trust me folks, veteran guys who can play don’t grow on trees to pick up in week 2.

The long awaited return of Jon Gruden to the Raiders was great for a half, heck even 3 quarters, until the bottom fell out in the fourth and a close game turned quite ugly. Trading your best player (K. Mack) a few days before opener is as asinine as I’ve ever seen and now knowing your QB is simply not elite level, and wow this season can get ugly really fast on Jon. He may wish he was back in Booth in a month or so.

New Bears HC Nagy had to be the most crushed after his team blew a 20-0 lead. I give credit to Pack QB A. Rodgers, but Nagy played “not to lose” for the entire second half and made some horrific calls in his first game at the Head Job. Of the 7 new HC’s though, he is in the best position to win this season.

Arizona HC Steve Wilks is in the worst position to win this year and may not win more then 2-3 games. He clearly didn’t have his team ready in any phase of the game vs. the Redskins and there aren’t many great pieces to make this team anything but a “bet against” all season long.

Lions HC Matt Patricia had a worse game then Wilks and that thought coming into his MNF debut game seemed impossible with how bad the Cardinals performed. But spotted a 7-0 lead after one play, it was a demolition the rest of the game by a young Jets squad. Now hearing players on the Lions aren’t at all happy with Patricia and his many rules and this start couldn’t be any worse for Lions fans. I also thought the guy looked like a “joke” too wearing his ball cap backwards. He didn’t coach like a big time NFL coach and he looked like a slob and represented the team horribly. He already thinks he’s his old boss, Bill Belichick. He inherited a decent set of talent and a really bad first month will really make for a long, and difficult season ahead.

Colts new HC Frank Reich is likely breathing a sigh of relief seeing his stud QB Luck return for a season plus off. Luck threw ball well and that will give him a chance to win every week as his core of receivers is solid. They will score points. He needs to mix up his pass/run ratio though as that week 1 ratio will only get Luck battered by midseason.

Last NYG HC Shurmur had chances to beat a really elite team, but he simply couldn’t pull it off. It was clear from get go that full attention was going to WR O. Beckham. He looked good, but nothing great. New stud RB Barkley rushed for over 100 yards, but that was so misleading as 68 came on one rush. He had only 38 on his other 17 carries. QB Eli Manning had (6.1) YPC average which will not win many games. The Defense played well and kept them in the game, but this team has no margin for mistakes or average play.

Tough start for all 7 new Head Coaches and week 2 doesn’t look to bode well for 6 as they are underdogs in Game 2 on Sunday. Only Bears HC Nagy is a favorite to win on Sunday.